Daily Inspiration: Meet Noelle Townsley
Article Originally Posted On Voyage Phoenix
Today we’d like to introduce you to Noelle Townsley.
Hi Noelle, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My story starts when I was 8 years old. I told my mom consistently I wanted to be a chef when I grew up. By age 12, I was cooking for some of her clients, making pies, scones, cakes, and quick breads for them. I loved it! I came up with the name Fresh from the Kitchen at that time, and my mom took me downtown to get it registered so it could be my business name.
By the time I entered college, I realized catering was my calling. I had gotten to freelance with some caterers and loved everything about it!! After graduation, my mom and I were to be co-owners of Fresh from the Kitchen.
Unfortunately, my mom suddenly passed away while I was in college. It took about 2 years after graduation, in the midst of the recession of 2008, after being laid off as a kitchen manager at a restaurant that was closing its doors, that the leap to have my own catering company was pursued.
Fresh from the Kitchen took on a business partner who helped me grow the company for 5 years before she was bought out, and I was the sole owner of a now 16-year business with 2 kitchens and locations in Phoenix.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Has the road been smooth? Absolutely not. Having a partnership is hard. At times, one partner may work harder than the other, and this can be frustrating. Competition is fierce! There are larger companies with more advertising dollars, kudos, presence, and the power to undercut your bids.
Being a woman in business, a black woman in business has its own set of challenges. I could perhaps be quite rich if I got paid for the amount of times that people have asked me if I cater out of my home or if I am licensed. At times, a stigma exists that perhaps I won’t be as good as some of my competitors.
I have had some employees that made the catering struggle hard. Juggling school, children, marriage, and a business is all an art. And I am sure I don’t need to expound upon 2020 and what that did to the food and hospitality industry. So, all that being said, the road has been a very hard one. But one I have not given up on.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
As the owner of Fresh from the Kitchen, I manage my staff, I am a teacher to those in the kitchen, I create prep lists and grocery lists, send in food orders and rental orders, and create lists of items to gather for events, and so forth.
It takes a team, discipline, and much execution to create events that are near flawless so that all of our guests can feel they experienced “A Taste of Perfection!” (company motto) I am most proud of our growth as a company. Having 2 locations and being really good and efficient at what we do. Having a staff that shows up and does great! This makes me most proud from a professional level.
As a team, we work together to deliver fresh, tasty, punctual food set up beautifully for you, our client. Fresh from the Kitchen is a small company with large values. We cook from the heart, delivering food that has not only that homemade quality and taste but a nostalgic feel to it. Letting the flavors create a nuance of love on your tongue. So, why wouldn’t you want to try that?
Whether your event is for 20 or 2000, the same attention to detail, the same attention to flavor, and the same attention to you is not to be surpassed. You can taste before you book, request a custom proposal, and have a unique experience with us. I will meet with you, the client, to guide you through the process of picking a delicious menu and beautiful event design when applicable.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
Never stop learning, and never think you’re that good. There is always room for improvement, and you can always be better.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.freshfromthekitchenllc.com
- Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/fftk_catering2
- Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/FFTKcatering